Introducing New IBA Board Member Tim Pollard

The IBA board welcomed new members last week at the January meeting including Tim Pollard.

Pollard is Chair of the Department of Telecommunications at Ball State University in Muncie and joins the board as one of two educational representative.

Tim brings a unique, valuable perspective to the board and shared some of his background and expectations with the IBA.

Describe your background in broadcasting.

Tim: I graduated from Central Michigan University in 1981 before going to work for Owens-Illinois in Toledo, OH, from 1981 to 1982 in its corporate video department. I went back to CMU in 1982 to pursue my master’s degree and the day I graduated was the day I was offered an entry-level job at CNN in Atlanta. From this entry-level position, I was promoted to crew chief (evening floor crew supervisor) and, in 1984, to field operations supervisor. I was responsible for all TV equipment in all bureaus and for major events.

I traveled extensively, including during the Iraq War, all Reagan-Gorbachev summits, all George H. W. Bush-Gorbachev summits, seven presidential conventions, and three presidential inaugurals. In 1994, I was promoted to operations manager for CNN’s Washington bureau. In this capacity, I was responsible for all entry-level journalists and all content going to the various CNN networks. I was, also, responsible for all CNN-produced pool events covering four State of the Union addresses, all presidential events, Pentagon, State Department, and other agencies.

In 1998, I moved to academia and accepted a position at Ball State University as an Assistant Professor. In 2005, I received tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor. In 2011, I became chair of the Department of Telecommunications.

On July 1, I will be stepping down as chair and moving back to full-time teaching.

What do you think you bring to the IBA Board?

Tim: It is great to have this much talent on one board and it seems that each person really wants to help grow the association. I am particularly interested that this year seems to have a strong focus on connecting students with the industry.

How do you hope to see the IBA grow in the coming year?

Tim: Getting Indiana colleges and universities, that have media programs, more involved with the IBA. In particular, getting students actively engaged with tours, internships, and entry-level jobs. One area that needs addressing is the growing shortage of engineers. How do we address this need and how we engage station ownership with colleges and universities to help grow in this area?

What impact do your stations have in your local community?

Tim: Our local TV and radio stations are actively engaged in the community. The Muncie area does not get much attention from Indianapolis and Fort Wayne unless there is a major story. This gap allows these stations to broadcast community-based material that affects several hundred thousand people. The issue we all have is that the younger generations are steering away from traditional broadcast to social media, on demand, and streaming.